Schnauzer Comedone Syndrome is a skin disorder frequently inherited by the miniature Schnauzer. It causes the formation of several "comedones" along the back of the dog, at any position up and down the spinal ridge. These comedones are simply just hair follicles that are blocked by an excess of skin oils and keratin, not much different from the blackheads that a human might suffer from. Not much is known about what factors contribute to the inheritance of this disease, but it is known to be hereditary, and it only seems to affect the miniature Schnauzer. [...]

The sebaceous glands are glands in the skin that are responsible for producing sebum, a fatty lubricating oil that prevents skin from becoming dried out and brittle. In dogs with the disease known as sebaceous adenitis, however, these glands suddenly become severely inflamed and shortly thereafter are destroyed for reasons that still are not well understood. After the gland is destroyed, no sebum can be produced, and the result is incredibly dry and brittle skin that is prone to cracking and scaling.Sebaceous adenitis is usually first observed in young adult dogs. Akitas, Samoyed, and Poodles seem to be affected the most. The disease can first be identified by the observation of dry scaly skin along the head, top and back, accompanied by severe hair loss. [...]

Seborrhea is an inherited disorder which affects the outer layer of skin in a dog. The skin's sebaceuous glands (which produce a fatty substance called sebum) and hair follicles are much more productive than is normally the case. The result is that skin can become both dry and greasy at the same time, producing both a hard, scaly texture and a loathsome oily ichor that coats the entire body of the dog. Seborrhea usually manifests by the time of a dog's first birthday and the first outbreak of the disease is usually quite memorable to owners who are unfamiliar with the rancid odor that the abundant grease can produce. [...]

Miniature bull terriers are wonderful small dogs that are full of energy, playful, love people and older children, but are sometimes a little stubborn and willful. They can be stubborn and are not always good with other animals so early socialization and obedience training is extremely important. Miniature bull terriers have glossy, fine, short coats that does not require a lot of grooming. Some dogs, just like humans, are prone to skin rashes, skin allergies, and other skin diseases that are often painful, unsightly, and very uncomfortable for your pet. [...]

Skin infections in dogs, known as pyoderma, are usually caused by a type of normal skin bacteria known as staphylococcus intermedius. This bacteria is always present on the skin and the mucous membranes but in some cases it becomes rampant on the skin and leads to severe infections. Often these conditions include an immune related disease in the dog, malnutrition, injury or trauma or other change in the dog's environment or diet that causes the dog to become stressed.There are several different types of pyoderma that can be found on a dog. They are categorized by the level of tissues they involve and range from the surface infections known as surface pyodermas to the very deep infections that can be caused by excessive scratching and biting of the infected area. They are also determined to be primary, or the cause of the infection, or secondary, the result of some other condition or wound that then allowed the bacteria access to the dog's skin. [...]

One of the most frustrating issues with treating dogs with skin allergies is trying to determine exactly what is the source of the irritation, known as the allergen. For many dogs it is fleas, well not exactly the fleas themselves but the saliva they secrete as they bite and feed off the dog. There are many different allergens in flea saliva and these are considered to be some of the most problematic conditions for dogs as they are so concentrated even a single bite can cause irritation across a large part of the dog's skin.Food allergies are also very problematic for many dogs. Often these allergies are to gluten or wheat products in the food but they can also be from corn, preservatives and even flavorings and colorings used in the food. Since most commercially produced dog foods have the same ingredients, owners may need to go to a BARF or bones and raw foods or other natural type diet to eliminate the problematic ingredients from the dog's food. [...]

A very painful condition of the skin, spiculosis occurs most commonly in adult Kerry Blue Terriers, and is more generally seen in males but may also be present in females during their adult years. These spicules are very dense and hard strands of hair that are very thick and spiky in both texture and size. Not all Kerry Blue Terriers will develop the condition, it is much more prevalent in some lines than others so be sure to ask about the condition before selecting a kennel or breeding line.The spiculosis condition is also known as rose thorns or bristles and may also be noted in Kerry Blue mixed dogs but is very rarely seen in any other breed. While the most common location for these hard, spiky hairs is on the elbows and the hocks of the legs, they can also be found on the face, neck, body and tail, virtually anywhere on the dog's body. Typically Kerry Blue Terriers with a very stiff coat are more prone to the condition and those that have the breed standard "soft, dense and wavy" coat are less likely to develop the condition. [...]

Basically what we are talking about here is a very itchy cat. Cats can become itchy from a variety of causes and veterinarians tell us that allergies are the most common problem affecting small animals in general. However, hormonal skin problems are common to dogs but rare in cats.Detection of Hormonal Skin DiseasesPruritus is the medical term for itchiness and is not hard to spot because your cat will scratch and even damage its skin. The causes of Pruritus are said to be from over grooming, but really there can be a host of reasons for causing this hormonal skin disease. In severe causes you cat may actually lose or pull out its own hair in order to get relief.Miliary Dermatitis is an inflammation of the skin characterized by crusts that appear all over the body, most of the time it occurs from greasy, oily, or fur that contains dandruff. [...]

Welsh Terriers are relatively healthy dogs, though they may be prone to allergic reactions; actually dogs in general tend to be highly susceptible to a variety of allergic reactions. And while people often get runny noses and watery eyes when suffering from allergies, dogs will develop skin problems. A dog suffering from allergies may display an unhealthy looking coat, either in texture or in length, he may obsessively scratch and chew at his itchy skin, or he may develop things called hot spots. [...]

Physically, the Chinese Crested dog is a breed of a somewhat sensitive disposition. They are especially prone to such as digestive problems and, with the Hairless variety especially, unfortunate skin conditions. The following will address the most common skin problems Chinese Cresteds suffer from and how to combat and prevent these ailments. [...]

Acne is not only a teenage problem but a very common disease in cats. Feline Acne affects cats of various breeds and ages. It occurs in males and female cats alike. The condition can be so mild that it is hardly noticeable.What is Feline Acne?The sebaceous glands secrete an oily substance called sebum, which lubricates the skin and hair follicles in particular. Their function is to prevent dryness in the skin and to protect the skin's surface from irritation. The sebaceous glands are found at the bottom of the tail, the cat's back, its genital area, eyelids, lips and skin.The sebaceous glands play an important role in cat behaviour. It is the cat's way of marking its territory or domain. If you see your cat rubbing its head or chin across a surface, it is marking its territory and over time it will leave greasy marks in those places. [...]

Follicular dermatitis is a skin condition where the actual hair follicle becomes inflamed and produces a swelling, often with a pus like discharge similar to an ingrown hair or a pimple that a human may have. While the condition is not usually serious; it is actually more unsightly and annoying than dangerous, if the bumps become infected or if the condition becomes widespread on the dog's body there is always the chance of hair loss, serious skin infections and the possibility of a weakened immunes system for the dog. [...]

While most people call any type of hair loss, itching and sores or inflammation on the skin of a dog mange, there are actually three different types of mange that can be problematic for dogs and dog owners. Mange is actually caused by one of three types of mites that are so small they cannot be seen with the naked eye. These microscopic trouble makers can live either in the skin or the hair follicle of the dog, depending on the type of mite that they are. There are two types of mange mites, the sarcoptic mange mite and the demodex canis mite, that can pass between dogs or puppies to humans and other pets in the house. The sarcoptic mange mite is very contagious but the demodex mange mite is rarely transferred between dogs and humans, but it can occur under the right conditions. [...]

Yeast dermatitis or yeast infections, more formally known as Malessezia Dermatitis, can occur on almost any type, age or breed or dog. Most commonly it is found on dogs with double coats where the ideal warm, moist environments for the yeast to grow and spread are naturally more optimal. However, even short haired and single coated breeds of dogs do get yeast dermatitis under the right conditions.All dogs have some yeast present on their skin at all times. During times of stress, during allergic reactions or even during different phases of the reproductive cycle the skin may produce additional oils, which lead to an ideal growth medium for the yeast. Dogs with naturally oily skin or with existing skin conditions such as seborrhea are the most likely candidates to develop yeast dermatitis. Since seborrhea may be caused by several factors it is very important to work closely with the vet to try to determine the cause of the excessive oil production. [...]

There are several different types of external parasites that can easily find a great place to live, feed and grow right on your horse. Good parasite control is simple, relatively low cost, and can prevent many types of anemia, secondary bacterial infections and even discomfort for your horse. Most external parasites that feed and live on horses also can affect other animals, including humans, so keeping your stables and horses free from parasites is helpful in several ways.Some of the most common external parasites found on horses are mites. These small, microscopic parasites can live on the skin, under the skin or in the hair follicles themselves. Each type of mite will cause itching and discomfort for the horse as well as allergic reactions to the toxins they produce. Hair loss and secondary bacterial infections due to scratching and licking are often the first signs of a mite infection. Mites can also live in the ears and will cause a dry, scabby look to the ears and cause a dark, foul smelling waxy discharge from the ears. While not fatal themselves, a severe mite infection in an already compromised horse can be life-threatening. [...]